Across the Academy – Dec. 17, 2014

Across the Academy is a weekly summary of news that highlights the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, its clubs and players, as well as alumni and Youth National Team activity. Across the Academy will be available for the duration of the 2014-15 season.

ACADEMYDec 17, 2014

ACADEMY/YNT SPOTLIGHT:U-14 Futsal Regionals Return in January and February:
As part of the Development Academy’s mandatory futsal period from December through February, the Academy U-14 age group will look forward to a series of regional showcases from Jan. 24-Feb. 8,
2015. Eight regional showcases will include a guaranteed four futsal matches over a two-day stretch in eight regions: SoCal and Texas (Jan. 24-25);
Florida, Mid-America and NorCal (Jan. 31-Feb. 1); and New England, North Carolina and Pennsylvania/New Jersey (Feb. 7-8). Several Academy players have
recently had the experience of representing the U.S. Futsal National Team in 2014: Sporting Kansas City’s Nic Jaimes and John Leisman and Players
Development Academy’s James Murphy. (2014-15 Development Academy Calendar)

West Conference:
In a crossover match, Southwest Division-leading Real Salt Lake AZ defeated the Northwest Division’s De Anza Force 5-1 at the U-18 age group. Jose
Hernandez led the way with three goals for RSL, which is 12-1-3 this season and has won nine straight games.

East Conference:
South Carolina United Battery Academy wrapped up its 2014 portion of the season with victories against the Charlotte Soccer Academy. After trailing in
the opening seven minutes, South Carolina United Batter Academy scored three unanswered, with Wyatt Millard’s 60th-minute goal serving as the
game-winner. The U-18s posted a 3-0 win, with Rex Epps, Barrett Stevens and Cole Gaston each tallying a goal.

Academy Referee of the Week:
Kaili Terry, a Grade 8 referee from northern Texas, was named Academy of the Week for her work during the U-14 match between Solar Chelsea and the Dallas
Texans. Terry has been working Academy matches since 2013.

For all Development Academy results, standings and more, visit academy.demosphere.com or click on the following links:

ON USSOCCER.COM:U-20 MNT Travels to Honduras for Two-Game Set: U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team head coach Tab Ramos named a 19-player roster for the USA’s Dec. 15-22 camp in Honduras. The U.S. will face the Honduras U-20s on Thursday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 21, in the final two international matches of the year before kicking off the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. The current U-20 roster features 17 players with Development Academy ties. “Going to Honduras, we’re taking the players to a very difficult environment, and I think this is a good place for us to prepare our team and make them mentally ready to confront the qualifying in January,” Ramos said. (U-20 MNT Gathers for Final Foreign Camp Before Qualifying)

U-18 MNT Opens with Win against Germany: The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team defeated Germany 2-1 on Wednesday in Marbella, Spain. Chicago Fire Academy product Mauricio Pineda and Real Salt Lake AZ standout Brooks Lennon provided the goals for the USA, which will face Germany again on Friday, Dec. 19.